In an unsettling incident that has prompted a counter-terrorism investigation, a man entered a Manchester mosque with a bag containing an axe and a knife during Ramadan prayers. The event has spurred local law enforcement to take swift action and bolster security in the area.

Greater Manchester Police are currently interrogating a suspect associated with this alarming situation. Meanwhile, they continue their search for another individual who exhibited peculiar behavior at the same time. In response, police presence has been heightened around Manchester Central Mosque to ensure public safety.

The security team at the mosque, situated at the heart of Manchester, became suspicious when they noticed a man dressed in high-visibility clothing carrying a questionable bag. This occurred during an evening prayer session attended by hundreds of worshippers. Their vigilance led them to confront the individual.

Among the congregation was an off-duty special constable who promptly alerted the authorities. Police arrived quickly and arrested the suspect, described as a white male in his 50s. Upon search, they uncovered an axe, a hammer, and a knife among his possessions.

The man is now in custody, facing charges related to the possession of an offensive weapon and class B drugs.

Commenting on the incident, Assistant Chief Constable John Webster expressed gratitude for the proactive steps taken by the mosque’s security personnel and volunteers. “There was no indication of verbal threats or confrontation, but it’s crucial that the staff and volunteers here trusted their instincts and contacted us. I commend them for their actions,” Webster stated outside the mosque.

‘This is a time where Muslims come together to observe Ramadan. They should feel safe in their place of worship. We do give places of worship increased attention during this period, as we do with all religious festivals.’

He said that patrols would be increased in the area, with officers temporarily working longer, 12-hour shifts.

Officers continued to question the suspect on Tuesday evening, and counter-terrorism detectives were working on the investigation – though it has not been declared a terrorist incident. 

Police said they were ‘working to locate the second suspicious man to understand who he is and what he was doing at the mosque’.

CCTV and body-worn video was being studied to identify the man, who left the mosque just before police arrived.

He was described as being black, approximately in his late 40s, with an athletic build and short stubbled facial hair.

He was wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up, a navy blue jacket with that hood also up, blue tracksuit bottoms, and white trainers.

Constable Webster added: ‘I know this uncertainty can cause concern, but it is key that we have time to question the suspect, explore every line of enquiry and speak to as many witnesses as possible to understand the nature of this incident.’

Volunteers at the mosque in Victoria Park, south Manchester, noticed the man, who was wearing a hi-vis jacket, with a suspicious bag and escorted him to a separate room.

When police were called at around 8:40pm, they searched the man, seized the objects in his possession and arrested him.

GMP said yesterday: ‘The man had reportedly claimed to be in the mosque to do work on the building, but staff had no knowledge of this.

‘We quickly responded to the scene where we searched the suspect, arrested him and seized weapons, including an axe, a knife and class B drugs.

‘At this time, it is not clear what the circumstances or intent, if any, was around this incident.’

According to one eyewitness, the suspect shouted: ‘I’m not a terrorist!’ as he was led away.

Speaking today, the chair of the mosque said the man had been to the mosque before and not caused any problems.

However, the incident sparked major safety concerns among Manchester Muslims, who described it as ‘a threat to our community in what is meant to be a sacred time’. 

A local Labour MP claimed it was a ‘consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims’. 

‘This is Islamophobia, plain and simple,’ Rusholme MP Afzal Khan said.

In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘I am concerned to hear of the incident at Manchester Central Mosque last night. 

‘I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection. 

‘My thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services for their quick response.‘ 

Today, one witness who was attending the prayers said: ‘The man was saying “I’m not a terrorist” as the police took him away.

‘Then they just chucked him in the back of the van.’

Hammad Khan, 46, chair of the mosque, said he was ‘disappointed’ that police had said no threats were made by the pair, and that it wasn’t being treated as a terrorist incident. 

‘It could have been a lot worse had he not been spotted,’ he added, explaining that between 1,200 and 1,500 worshippers would have been present.

Describing the incident, Mr Khan said: ‘We were all praying inside and some of the volunteers and security were outside the mosque.

‘The volunteers spotted a white male coming in with a high-vis jacket and a big bag with seemed like something was sticking out of it, which we later found was a big axe.

‘The volunteers then saw the male go into the main hall where the prayers were taking place and they then asked them to accompany them into the front office.

‘He left the bag with the axe in the main hall and went with the volunteers into the office where he stayed and spoke to them.

‘He was very calm in his demeanour and they tried to keep him calm until the police arrived and he was arrested.

‘We’ve subsequently looked at CCTV footage and realised he was accompanied by a black male.

‘They came together but as they entered the front the door they had a discussion and split up.

‘And while the white male was in the office, the other male loitered around outside to see what was happening, and just before police arrived he left the premises.’

The volunteers didn’t know the suspect man had an axe in his bag, with the weapons were only discovered after police arrested him.

‘We are very, very fortunate the volunteers spotted the bag and the handle, not knowing it contained an axe,’ Mr Khan added.

‘We understand he has visited the mosque before but never in a high-vis.

‘We’re not sure what his motives were wearing the high-vis but it appears he walked through the security team wearing the clothes he was wearing.’

Criticising police for saying the suspect did not make any ‘threats’, the mosque chair said: ‘Somebody who walks into a place of worship – a mosque – carrying weapons, that in itself is a threat.

‘You wouldn’t see anybody in the street with an axe and ask them if they posed a threat.’

He said the man ‘didn’t appear to be under the influence of anything’ and seemed to ‘very collected’ in his appearance and manner.

Mr Khan said he understood that the suspect was carrying ‘materials’ relating to the Second World War as well as newspaper cuttings.

‘He said clearly he had visited the mosque before.’

Maryam Khan, who was at the mosque, said: ‘It is really sad to have this as a threat to our community in what is meant to be a sacred time.

‘It’s really disheartening, but we’re used to it, we’re used to fearing our own safety.’ 

She added: ‘The mosque is packed out with children, babies, kids.

‘Sometimes we don’t go because it’s so busy, it’s very family-orientated. They serve food and feed the homeless. I hope it’s taken seriously. 

‘Thank god we have a really strong community here and our own security guards.’

Another witness said she had been left in ‘shock’ at the scenes that unfolded last night. 

The mosque’s statement continued: ‘The Muslim community in the UK has experienced a notable rise in threats and hostility over recent years. 

‘The increase in Islamophobic incidents is a serious concern, and greater resources are urgently needed to address this growing and real risk.

‘We will continue to cooperate fully with the police and urge all mosque attendees to remain vigilant. 

‘Congregants are advised to travel in groups where possible and to ensure that children are not left unattended.

‘The swift and responsible actions of our volunteers played a crucial role in containing the situation. Without their intervention, the consequences could have been far more serious.’

Afzal Khan, the local Labour MP for Rusholme, said: ‘I am deeply concerned about the incident that occurred at Manchester Central Mosque last night, whereby two individuals entered the mosque with weapons.

‘Thankfully, everyone is safe, no one is hurt, and Greater Manchester Police have arrested one of the suspects. I’m in touch with the mosque leadership, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and the Prime Minister about this incident. 

‘Just this week, the Chancellor and Home Secretary announced more funding for protecting mosques, and this incident demonstrates once again why this funding is so vital. 

‘This is the consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims. This is Islamophobia, plain and simple.’

In a joint statement, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, his deputy, Kate Green, and Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, expressed their ‘deep concern’.

‘It is important to say there were no direct threats nor any violence used,’ they said. 

‘However, there is no complacency.’

They welcomed police pledging an ‘increased presence’ at the city region’s mosques.

Meanwhile, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester said it ‘strongly condemned’ the ‘appalling incident’ at Manchester Central Mosque and compared the ‘distress’ it had caused to last October’s deadly terror attack on Heaton Park Synagogue.

‘It is deeply concerning that individuals feel emboldened to target places of worship in this way during such an important time for the Muslim community,’ the group said on social media.

‘No one should ever feel unsafe because of their beliefs. 

‘Attacks like this strike at the heart of our shared values of respect, tolerance, and coexistence.

‘We know all too well the fear and distress that comes with being targeted given the appalling scenes witnessed during the terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue. 

‘We stand in full solidarity with those affected.’

Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP on 999 in an emergency quoting incident 3279 of 24 February 2026.